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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Ed Hulse

A remarkably faithful adaptation of J. K. Rowling's bestselling children's novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone brings its characters vividly to life and presents their supernatural adventures with verve and imagination. Director Chris Columbus (Bicentennial Man) hews closely if not slavishly to Rowling's original, but his few embellishments enhance the yarn's cinematic effectiveness. Daniel Radcliffe is enormously appealing as Harry, the wistful and gifted orphan whose life changes radically when he is accepted into the Hogwarts School for aspiring young wizards. Accompanied by new friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), the bespectacled sorcerer-in-training makes a name for himself and figures prominently in the perilous search for a long-lost talisman. Fans of Rowling's books will be delighted with the film's visualizations of their favorite Potter people, including headmaster Dumbledore (Richard Harris), professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith), and gamekeeper Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The special effects are truly dazzling, but Columbus doesn't rely solely on virtuoso visuals to thrill his viewers; he takes time to flesh out the characters and imbue their surroundings with the proper mystical atmosphere. Ultimately, what he creates isn't just a rousing fantasy film -- it's a unique, magical little world that will envelop and entrance all who venture near.

All Movie Guide

For all but the most nitpicking Potterphiles out there, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is nothing less than the perfect visual incarnation of J.K. Rowling's world of swooping owls and flying broomsticks. However, it's never precisely more than that, either; the very act of giving image and voice to these rich literary precepts places them in a realm inevitably less magical than the imagination. Still, it's hard to picture a more essentially faithful adaptation of Rowling's tone and story, which weighs in at a hefty two and a half hours despite streamlining some of the more vestigial elements of a quick 300-page read. Steve Kloves' adaptation of the wildly popular bestseller lingers less on some of the episodic Hogwarts' adventures, only briefly touching on such red herring plot points as the wise centaur and Hagrid's dragon. The eye-popping visuals have numerous other opportunities to shine, chief among them the grippingly rendered Quidditch match, in which players on broomsticks zoom and jockey like the speeder bikes of Endor in Return of the Jedi. It's no surprise that Harry Potter should occasionally invoke a Star Wars movie, since its hero is an orphaned boy who yearns for a destiny beyond what his aunt and uncle can provide, and who possesses unparalleled mystical powers that the dark side seeks to corrupt. The landscape Chris Columbus and cinematographer John Seale have created -- with its levitating banquet hall decorations, animated games of wizard chess, ominous trolls, and three-headed dogs -- is of equal vividness and complexity as that galaxy far, far away, and it should make just as much if not more money. Besides the film's many technical achievements, the actors really deliver, well beyond the who's who of British thespians who comprise the Hogwarts' teachers. Daniel Radcliffe has the look and reluctant heroism of Harry down perfectly, if a little too languidly; he's bested by Emma Watson's deliciously petulant and precocious Hermione, as well as the masterful line deliveries and comic timing of Rupert Grint as Ron.

Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum

[Alan] Rickman is practically incandescent with purpose; he emits a high-voltage zap of electricity with every glare.

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a red-blooded adventure movie, dripping with atmosphere, filled with the gruesome and the sublime, and surprisingly faithful to the novel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 4.5 out of 5based on
0 ratings.
279 reviews.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I think Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was the movie most faithful to the book. I think the 3 main actors are great, and they're still great in the later movies, but in the first one they were unknown (and I think they looked more like their characters should) so when you see them at that age it's like they really are their characters and it just adds to the overall effect of a great movie.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This movie was amazing and outstanding all at the same time. To me it was just like the book except for a little bit of things that I did not see, but other than that this movie was off the chang. I loved it my mama loved it and it was the bomb. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a movie that you have to see. I thought that the director chose the right actors to play Harry, Ron and everybody else. I love Harry Potter and this movie was the most astonishing movie to see.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This is bound to be another best seller. First the books, then it's in theaters, and soon to be on DVD and VHS! I can't wait to buy the DVD, and take my personal tour through Hogwarts!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I enjoyed this movie. I have read all four or the Harry Potter books. The movie follows the book so well. I don't think I have ever seen a movie that has followed the book as well as this one. No, they didn't put every little detail in it. The movie would be way to long if they did that. Worth seeing and owning. I can't wait for the next movie or book.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I think this movie was amazing.Everything in it was fabulous. The books were amazing too. I think peopel shoudl read the books before seeing the move, it just seems better that way. I cant wait until the next book comes out!!!!!!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I just wanna say that Harry Potter is my most greatest, interesting, most exciting and best movie in the world for me and I love the music and the adventure!!!!! Keep up the good work J.K Rowling!!!!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

I loved this movie. It was very well done and stayed close to the book.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

This movie honors the book completely, it's almost identical to the book. It brings the magic of Diagon Alley, Gringotts, the Forbidden Forest, Quidditch, the Hogwarts Express, and Hogwarts to life.
The characters are so individual and diverse. The trio is a force to recon with, and has a bond that is endearing to the audience. Harry is the champion, Ron the Heart, Hermione is the brains. Fred and George are excellent comic relief. Snape is the type of character viewers both love and hate, he's a creep who's on the right side. Dumbledore is a mentor, a protector and the most powerful Wizard in that world.
Voldemort is pure evil. He willing/deliberately turned himself into the monster he became. He embraced the worst types of magic, beliefs, and societies. He corrupts anyone he comes into contact with. He survives at any cost, cheats death at the expense of others. He treats ally and enemy the same, he hasn't any compassion or guilt left in him.
Fans never tire of this movie. This is magical - literally and emotionally.

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The_smart_warriors_reader

More than 1 year ago

I love this movie. You can watch it again and again. The plot is very exciting and suspenseful! Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson are very talented. You can enjoy this movie even if you haven't read the books. I just saw the last one in theaters, and the day after I saw it, I watched this movie. I'm SO sad these movies are over! :-(
If you haven't already watched this, please do!! You'll love them-I've never met a person who doesn't, I'm not joking!